PHIL Haley has proven you’re never too old to get fit, celebrating his 98th birthday between exercises on Monday.
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Mr Haley is part of a fitness group for senior men, which gathers twice a week at Rhythm Personal Training.
He has attended for the past four years after he felt he needed the exercise.
“If I hadn’t been doing the exercise, I wouldn’t be here at 98,” he said.
A retired farmer, Mr Haley said he had always been active and used to enjoy playing sport, with boxing his new found favourite activity.
“I found that’s a great help to my breathing,” he said.
He said the camaraderie with the other members of the group kept him coming back and they enjoyed regular jokes.
“That’s why I’ve taken up boxing because they give me too much cheek,” he said with a laugh.
Gym owner Jeremy Wallace said the group, ranging from 68 to 98, started eight years ago when he and physiotherapist Frances Young realised there was demand for classes focused on balance, mobility and strength for older people undergoing physiotherapy.
“We started this one for the men just because men are generally worse at looking after themselves than women,” he said.
“Phil’s the life of the group and it’s great having someone like him because there might be people in their 70s and 80s who are a bit hesitant and we can always say, ‘he’s 98 and he’s going to do it’.
“He’s the rock.”
The group took a break mid-session while Mr Haley blew out the candles on a chocolate birthday cake.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au